"Chloe, what should I do?" Vernon asked. His voice was soft, like a kid wanting guidance from his mother, he looked so vulnerable right now, and Chloe knew it was difficult for a man like him to open up.
She saw how some men from the Gray family were raised; all of them were basically traditional men with traditional values. Something like showing vulnerability to a woman was not appropriate and should be shamed.
'Yet, he opens up to me, relies on me and my answer, so… instead of being weak and timid, I have to be a dependable person for him. I need to give him strength just how he gives me one when I feel like I have no place on earth...' Chloe thought.
Honestly, she wished Vincent could open up to her more when they were still together.
Vincent would always say nothing was wrong whenever he was stressed out. When he started cheating and beating, he'd say that Chloe was just a woman who knew nothing about his struggle as a man and never cared for him.
Chloe took a deep breath and nodded, "Well, I'm not the best at businesses and stuff, but I know Vincent far more than other people in this world. I've experienced everything with Vincent, from his love, short-term devotion, mania, mood swing, and adultery…."
Chloe sighed as she continued caressing Vernon's hair, "He is a terrible man, Vernon. A man who is craving for ultimate dominance. He hates when I fight back, or even when Mackie tries to ask him too many questions that he couldn't answer."
"Naturally, I should tell you not to take the offer because it might be a trap. But his treatment of you is different, Vernon…."
"Different?"
"Mhm, he may see us— his own family and even his mother as a bug that he can squish anytime he wants. But he truly sees you as his Little brother," Chloe said. "Just… in a twisted way."
…
Vernon said nothing. He waited for Chloe to continue, though he already knew where this conversation would go.
"You see, he sees you as his Little brother in an inferior way. I still remember how he'd say that you must've cheated on your test whenever you get a high score," Chloe tried to recall her conversation with Little Vernon. "You also told me once that you don't want to get a high score because you're afraid your Big bro will get angry."
"Didn't expect you to remember that," Vernon admitted.
"Hihi, of course, I remember. I remember everything about you growing up," Chloe said with eyes full of warmth. "Well, I believe Vincent genuinely sees you as his Little brother that is lesser than him. He's probably giving you a genuine offer for this. But I'm not sure about the 35% share…."
"But it's good if I take it, right? It'll help me quickly gain many connections around him, snatching his people left and right as he grows unstable."
"Yeah, that's right, but you should be careful," Chloe warned. "Vincent must've noticed your growth as a businessman, and feel threatened that you'll try to challenge his absolute dominance in many markets. I think this 35% share will backfire at you in some way. He's trying to use this as a way to control you."
"My advice is… take the offer from him. I'm sure he'll not hurt you for that. He'll only hurt you once he starts noticing how you keep outperforming him in business," Chloe suggested. "About the 35% share, I think it's better if you take it, but with your own precaution. Maybe see if it'll put you in a disadvantage."
"One thing for sure, Vernon Phoenix Gray. Do not look ambitious in front of him. He hates when someone beneath him is trying to achieve greatness. He will try his best to repress them and put them in place— which is under his feet."
Vernon stayed silent as he listened to Chloe telling him all the things he needed, "I see…" he muttered while staring at Chloe.
…
Chloe looked serious with her words for a moment before her cheeks reddened, and she avoided Vernon's gaze, "W—Well, that's just my take. I—I am just a housewife, I don't have any competence in business, so I might be wrong."
"No, you're not wrong at all," Vernon encouraged. "I got the best insight from you, Chloe."
"R—Really?"
"Mm," Vernon nodded. "I'm glad that Diamond suggested that I talk to you. She said you know the best about him."
"Haha, that's because I experienced living with Vincent for ten years, so I know many things about him," Chloe said.
"I will not let you experience that anymore. Ten years is enough— it's too much actually…." Vernon said. He smiled and lifted his shoulder. He gave a light kiss on Chloe's lips before adding, "Thank you for helping me, Chloe, my woman. I promise I will beat him."
Chloe almost exploded out of joy right now. She had never been claimed by a man before, which was a new feeling of being wanted that she liked so much.
"W—Well, I'm glad to be helping," Chloe muttered bashfully. She never expected herself to be helpful. She thought taking care of Vernon's health and the house was all she could do to support him. "Um… do tell me whenever you have any problem that stresses you out. Just like I said, I might not be able to help you, but listening and giving advice is what I can do. If you want to listen to my advice, of course…."
'I wonder if I should be proud by giving him advice like this. I feel like I'm doing a bare minimum while he's doing all he can do to free me from Vincent…' Chloe wondered.
She was still doubtful that she was actually helping right now. She felt Vernon didn't need her help since he was a competent man of his own accord.
But it'd be nice if she could do more to help him in his struggle to fight Vincent.
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